This is the second article in the series Getting into weight training: a female-friendly guide. 1. Why lift weights? 4. Exercise technique 2. Types of weight training 5. Training programmes 3. Starting out 6. Create your own programme Most commercial gyms have a combination of free weights and resistance machines. This guide deals with free [...]

You don’t have to be able to do muscle-ups and front levers to benefit from training with rings. They make even old favourites like push-ups and dips more challenging because you have to work to stabilise them. You’ll probably be surprised at how much more difficult an exercise can be on the rings – I [...]

One of the most badass exercises you can do in the gym, the handstand push-up is a humbling experience when you first try it. But persevere and you will develop excellent upper body strength.  What is the handstand push-up? A handstand push-up is performed against a wall in the handstand position. You slowly lower your [...]

I like going to the gym, but sometimes I wish I could have my own gym at home. A power rack in the basement, a pull-up bar in the lounge, maybe some gymnastic rings and a rope on the tree outside. Except that I don’t have a basement. Or a garden, let alone a tree. [...]

Ten ways to be the toughest girl or guy in town: 1. Train outdoors in all weathers. Rain, wind, snow, hail. Train when other people just stay in bed. 2. Add a ‘finisher’ to your workouts. Train your socks off, until you are lying on the floor, literally unable to do anything more. Then do [...]

Watch the press-ups video clip on youtube! The press-up (or push-up) is one of the most versatile exercises out there. A lot of people are put off them because they think they are boring or they associate them with army seargants shouting in your ear. But the simple press-up deserves another look. Abs/core exercise Press-ups are [...]

I have abs of steel but I am a sit-up free zone. I don’t think sit-ups are useless, but I do think there are better exercises out there so I don’t bother with sit-ups in my own workouts. So what are these better exercises? Well, anything that involves working to maintain your balance is brilliant [...]

There is absolutely no reason why you, dear reader, can’t train to do a pull-up. It’s not easy, but it is achievable. Men are usually slightly better equipped for pull-ups as they naturally have more muscle mass and upper body strength but most of them find pull-ups one of the toughest exercises as well. Although [...]